Dr. Ahmed G. Abo-Khalil

Electrical Engineering Department

Forward converter

The forward converter is a DC/DC converter that uses a transformer to increase or decrease the output voltage (depending on the transformer ratio) and provide galvanic isolation for the load. With multiple output windings, it is possible to provide
both higher and lower voltage outputs. It operates in a manner similar
to the flyback converter, but is generally more energy efficient.

A flyback converter stores energy as a magnetic field in an inductor
airgap during the time the converter switching element (transistor) is
conducting. When the switch turns off, the stored magnetic field
collapses and the energy is transferred to the output of the flyback
converter as electric current. The flyback converter can be viewed as
two inductors sharing a common core. In contrast the forward converter
(which is based on a transformer) does not store energy during the
conduction time of the switching element - transformers cannot store a
significant amount of energy unlike inductors. Instead, energy is passed
directly to the output of the forward converter by transformer action
during the switch conduction phase.